Dolphins found mutilated in Gulf, suspects sought

GULFPORT, MS (AP) - The head of the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Mississippi says he hopes the recent publicity about dolphins being mutilated and killed helps lead to an arrest.

Dr. Moby Solangi says he's been heartbroken to perform necropies on several dolphins to find that they'd been shot, stabbed, and one had its tail torn off. He says he thinks it's the work of someone "not in their right mind."

Solangi says there have been at least four recent cases in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. He's hoping people are outraged by the cruel attacks on innocent animals, and that the public will come forward with possible tips about who might be responsible.

Attacks on dolphins do carry large fines and jail sentences.

Solangi says it's hard to imagine why someone would harm a dolphin, and he doesn't think it's a fishing captain or anyone whose livelihood depends on the water.